My most dynamic year yet, I started the year partying with strangers in a local club in Chiang Mai, Thailand and ended it counting down with family in a nice hotel in the Philippines. It wasn't a travel-filled (not even a vacation-filled) year, but it was definitely experience-filled.
I was working on two, three or four things at the same time and mostly struggling my way through. And instead of discovering new places, I was discovering new skills, new relationships, and new perspectives on how the real world works.
It was indeed a loooooooong year -- one that is filled with people, places, and experiences.
JANUARY
[Clockwise from upper-left] Celebrated the New Year at a rave (tugs-tugs) party in Chiang Mai. Went on a one-day bicycle tour around Chiang Rai. Learned how to paddle a boat along the mangrove river in Sabang Beach, Palawan. Escaped to Malapascua Island in Cebu for a weekend. Wondered at life and plans for the rest of the year in San Vicente, Palawan. Attended an overnight silent meditation retreat c/o Monk Chat in Chiang Mai.
FEBRUARY
[Clockwise from upper-left] Went on digital nomad mode in Mactan, Cebu for a couple of weeks. Threw a surprise bridal shower for Agnes in Makati. Used that as an excuse to indulge on vegan Super Scoops ice cream. Started my teaching/learning journey with Reef Nomads. Met fellow marine and conservation enthusiasts in the big city.
MARCH
[Clockwise from upper-left] Had the honour to be one of Agnes' bridesmaids at their wedding in Punta Fuego. Brought Marielle and Patrick to lunch (and dessert) with my parents in Tagaytay City. Reunited with G! at Agnes' and Mon's lovingly-planned wedding in Nasugbu, Batangas. Drove with Marielle to Manila and back for chores, meet-ups, and catch-ups.
APRIL
[Clockwise from upper-left] Caught up with Dani about past projects, future projects and everything in between in Manila. Walked from sunrise to sunset, up and down Mt. Palali in Nueva Vizcaya with the Palali Hiking Society. Sat in a tight outrigger boat for 6 hours across the Babuyan Channel to Calayan Island on the next day. Caught magnificent views and landscapes from high up and down below around the island for the rest of the week in Cagayan. Shared skills and learnings to the diving conservationists of tomorrow c/o Reef Nomads.
MAY
[Clockwise from upper-left] Played around with sculptures and paintings at the Orlina museum in Tagaytay, Cavite with Gregg. Met Sen. Dick Gordon at the MAAP Homecoming in Bataan. Supported the athletes at the Spartan obstacle course race in Malvar, Batangas. Had fun at the photobooth at Pau and Brad's wedding in Galleria, Ortigas. Appeared on live national TV to celebrate World Turtle Day at Net25.
JUNE
[Anti-clockwise from upper-left] Caught up with grown-up cousins and their babies at Eastwood City. Sang karaoke with aunties and uncles from morning until evening at the Aplasca's. Went on a coffee-hopping date with cohort-coussie around Katipunan. Ran around Timezone and the grocery store with the Aplasca cousins in Araneta Center. Discussed zero-waste challenges with Tin at Kopi Tiam. Shared conservation ideas, freediving skills, and marine life knowledge at Reef Nomads' Conservation Camp in Binukbok, Batangas.
JULY
[Anti-clockwise from upper-left] Enjoyed another hectic week with my LAMAVE family in Kalibo, Aklan. Presented our citizen science research on pawikans at PAMS 15 held in Aklan State University. Travelled for a couple of weeks with Gregg from Kalibo to Boracay to Antique to Iloilo to Bacolod and to Dumaguete wherein we rode horses, ate oysters, swam at sunset and climbed hills. Visited the LAMAVE peeps as well as other green-minded friends in Dumaguete.
AUGUST
[Clockwise from upper-left] Met the rest of the Reef Nomads community at Gela's in Quezon City. Released hawksbill turtle hatchlings with the locals of Balicasag Island in Panglao. Introduced Gregg to Cosmic, arguably the best vegan restaurant in the city. Enjoyed a morning underwater sightseeing and catching up with Mercy at Napaling Point. Spent a week with the Pink House family in Oslob, Cebu. Chased after sea turtles with Jia around Balicasag Island.
OCTOBER
[Clockwise from upper-left] Arrived at Baguio City just as locals were starting their morning exercise routine in Burnham Park. Brought my trusty Lonely Planet Philippines guidebook for quick reference and traveller tips. Walked up and down the city for three days and enjoyed its overlooking city views.
Waited for sunset in front of Clean Beach in San Juan, La Union. Withdrew into myself again as I listened to the waves and felt the breeze. Picked up a single sea glass amongst the stranded pip coral and red coral fragments.
NOVEMBER
[Clockwise from upper-left] Held a fundraising event for LAMAVE at the new BGC Arts Theatre in Taguig City. Gave seminars on responding to marine turtle strandings in Moalboal, Cebu. Presented about taking photo-ids of turtles. Shared about my work with LAMAVE at Reef Nomads' event for conservation enthusiasts. Ate home-cooked dinner with the turtle ladies of LAMAVE in Dumaguete. Talked some more about turtles with the turtle-minded divers and guides of Panglao.
DECEMBER
[Clockwise from upper-left] Went to Isla Verde with Reef Nomads and with envi-minded skin divers. Received a cake (and sparklers) for my 29th birthday c/o Gregg. Drove to Victoria, Laguna to look for ducks and found a breezy eatery surrounded by rice fields. Drove out to Tanay, Rizal and ran around mountain fields. Caught up with Block P4 2011++ at a nice Indonesian restaurant in Kapitolyo. Celebrated the New Year with family at Seda Hotel in Laguna and with Gregg via video call.
